Is a second A/C unit a “must have?”

[devilsbox]

We have a 2017 27FB with one air co unit. Our advice is get one with two.

Larry

[guskmg]

Two possibilities:
I have an 50 amp adapter box that plugs into 30 amps and has a second plug for 20 amps. That is, one leg for each A/C. Most of the pedistals will support both A/Cs when hooked up that way.
The second is to get Jackson Center Service or Colin Hyde in NY to wire in a 50 amp plug up front. I did that and find it quiet handy. Two gennys will take care of the power requirements if you have Micro Air Easy Starts on your A/Cs.
guskmg

[ScottP]

Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences and knowledge.

Very helpful,

Scott

[TxTravelsUSA]

In June 2017, I purchased a 2018 Flying Cloud 27FB with one AC, specifically so I could camp in some of the smaller state parks and would not require a 50 amp site.

It was a huge mistake. The cabin will only cool to a MAX of 10 degrees below the outside temperatures. That means that when I went to west Texas on my way to Colorado last month, outside was 108*, my AS was over 95* inside. It never cooled until the outside temp fell to a balmy 88* about 4am.

Save yourself the frustration, sweltering experience and regrets and get two AC’s.

[WelArmedLamb]

Hello All

Just thought I would share my experiences on keeping our 2017 International 27FB cool. We ordered our Airstream with the one A/C when we lived in Chicago and we never had a problem where humidity is the biggest concern, we now live in Boise ID and the temps are quite a bit higher in the summer albeit with much lower humidity. We have an ADCO tyvek roof cover for our trailer, we recently had a week of temps that reached105 F. I put the the cover over the roof and cut out a square for the A/C unit was able to keep temps in the trailer in the low to mid 80's with all three of our awning extended....I am sure this could have been improved if we were able to get under some shade and start the air earlier in the day.

[PaulnGina]

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f478...at-183881.html

This thread details what I did to the roof of our Avion. If any of you have considered a fairly inconspicuous white, reflective roof, give it a read.

Quite pleased with the results.

[pmclemore]

We bought our 30' Signature used, and it came with 2 acs. Since we avoid hot places, we opted to remove the one over the bed and replace it with a maxxair fan. We also converted the rig to 30amp - so I could get rid of the heavy cord. Replaced it with a 30amp smart plug.

Our thinking was that the last thing we wanted was an ac overhead in the bedroom. Never looked back.

Pat

[Masondood]

Originally Posted by djarrett

Better to not need and have, than to need and not have

Amen to that! Our AS has two AC units and we've used them in the southwest and Idaho...

[BlueStreakSD]

Scott, I have a 28' International CCD. It is 11 years old, with a Dometic Duo-therm 600 series AC and Heat unit. The AC capacity is 13,500 BTU. We bought this trailer new in 2007, and this AC unit has never been even "adequate". I have never used the heat function, as a have a forced air LP gas heater that workes perfectly, evening the snow. I am in the process of having the old 13,500 but unit replaced with a Dometic 15,000 BTU unit. I am not sure if this will solve to my AC needs, but this is the first step. Because my trailer has only one AC unit, it has a 30 amp service. If this does not solve my problem, and I need to install a second AC unit, I understand that I must convert my trailer to 50 amp service. So my answer to you is get a trailer with TWO AC units from the get-go! Questions, please send a message back. Best regards, Mike

[BlueStreakSD]

Scott, my cost to swap out my 13,500 Dometic unit and install the 15,000 BTU capacity unit is just under $1,500. As I said in an earlier post, if upgrading to the 15,000 unit does not solve my needs, then I will take the existing 13,500 BTU unit and have it installed in the stateroom. I will loose the Fantastic Fan® in the bedroom, as I will use that opening for the 2nd AC unit. This means that I will also need to upgrade my trailer to become a 50 amp unit, in order to run both AC units simultaneously.I do not yet have a cost for the amperage upgrade. If I had it to do over again, I would have purchased a two AC unit trailer from the start. Mike

[astroboy18]

We had the exact same dilemma!!!!! I did not want to lose the roof fan in the bedroom for the sake of a 2nd AC. Best advice I got here: If you plan to camp in the Everglades in August, GET two AC units!!!! LOL. We ordered ONE AC unit for our new 2018 25' Interstate and quite frankly, it is FINE!!! Even when it roasts in summer heat, you are not in it (either towing or out hiking/swimming etc). Two fans suck out the heat fast and the AC cools down to 72 sleeping temp in a matter of minutes.

[cwf]

you are not at a 'disadvantage' as long as you stay near the 'frost line'... come to Texas, better have 2 guns..

[21Airstream]

Originally Posted by cwf

you are not at a 'disadvantage' as long as you stay near the 'frost line'... come to Texas, better have 2 guns..

That’s a fact! We’ve visited family in Texas the past few years (in September) and I sure wish our 27FB came with two Air Conditioners.

[Johnrb3]

Just curious if the swap out to the 15,000btu a/c made much of a difference in your cooling? I have a 23fb with one a/c in Texas that doesn’t cool very well on those 95+ degree days. I was thinking about upgrading the a/c to the 15,000 btu to see if it would help. Was urs worth the upgrade or do you think ur going to have to go to two units? Thanks!

Meant to reply to bluestreaksd. Not sure how to reply to that post alone

[BlueStreakSD]

John, I have not yet encountered a 95º +/- day yet in order to authoritatively tell you if my upgrade to a 15K BTU was fully worth it. I can tell you that the new unit blows substantially cooler, as I have even froze it up on an 80º + day. The air distribution box is much better as it directs air all four directions, not just forward and aft. It is quieter, as well. I spent approximately $2,500 to purchase and professionally install the new unit. It fit precisely where the old unit was, and I did not have to upgrade my power supply to 50 amps. If you have any further questions, my direct email is mikemintun@gmail.com. Best regards, Mike

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by Johnrb3

Just curious if the swap out to the 15,000btu a/c made much of a difference in your cooling? I have a 23fb with one a/c in Texas that doesn’t cool very well on those 95+ degree days. I was thinking about upgrading the a/c to the 15,000 btu to see if it would help. Was urs worth the upgrade or do you think ur going to have to go to two units? Thanks!

Meant to reply to bluestreaksd. Not sure how to reply to that post alone

I believe your AC is a 13500 in the 23', and that is standard. I think if you wanted a 1500AC to swap it out, likely would work fine; same 30A wiring. But, do not think you can add a "second" AC in the 23. The 25' AS with one AC is livable, since the newer ones all have a 1500AC to start; a second unit is an option, and usually is a 13500. In Texas the dealers most always order 2 AC's in all their 25' and larger AS's; one 1500 and one 13500.

We have owned 3 different 25's and they all had a single 1500AC unit with 2 roof fans...was not that bad with one 1500 in the 25's, even in Texas...the roof fans can suck out the hot air pretty fast, while the AC is turned on high to cool down...but, we are outside most of the day so using AC in late afternoon and at night is how we used it also.

When we got our 28' 18 months ago, it had 2 AC's. We have used both of them together a few times in Texas and Florida to cool down quickly and typically will go down to one unit when sleeping...the unit furthest from the bedroom. Nice to have 2 AC's in the larger 28' for sure.

[jcanavera]

Originally Posted by steverino

Well, here's my experience. We had a 2010 Flying Cloud 27FB, with a single 15K air conditioner, for 8 years. We rarely used the air conditioner on our ventures in California and the Pacific Northwest, but when we needed it, such as on summer trips to the Southwest (Vegas, Utah, etc), the single AC was totally inadequate. In Despite deploying the full awning set in 100 degree temperatures, the temp inside got down to maybe 90 with the AC running 100%.

We considered adding a 2nd AC to the 27FB. However, we decided to pick up a 30 Classic with 2 ACs, and the experience so far in those environs is good.

So, the short answer is it depends where you expect to use it - in summer trips to the south and southwest, I think you will need it. Staying in the pacific northwest, one is probably fine.

As noted it depends on where you travel. I upgraded my 30' Classic to the 15K unit back at build time in late 2003. Back in the day the 13.5 unit was standard for the larger Classics. Quite honestly I have never felt the 15K unit has failed to maintain good indoor temperatures. Now I haven't been to anywhere where the temperatures were above 95 and been in full sun. I usually camp with some tree cover, and I tend to go north like Wisconsin or Michigan for destination camping in the high summer. I think the killer is full sun exposure. That 15K unit can deal well with higher temps, but if you don't have any shade and you are in upper 90's to 100 degree temps, you need more.

For some who go to climes that can get to 100 and have full sun exposure, I would recommend having two units. I had a 13.5K in my 2001 27' Safari (my first Airstream) and found it to be inadequate on a 100 degree day in full sun. Temps inside got to the upper 80's. Funny thing on that particular trip, I was camping with the guy who bought my 30' white SOB. It also had a 13.5K A/C unit, full sun right next to me. He was cool. I learned a lot about the heat absorption principals of an aluminum trailer that day.

Jack

[astroboy18]

Originally Posted by ScottP

Hi all -

27FB 2017 model year


Am I at a disadvantage if I choose a single a/c fitted on a 27’ trailer (Serenity)?

Thanks

Scott: I wrestled with the EXACT same concern prior to ordering my new 25' Serenity. The best input I got was "if you plan to camp in the Everglades in August, go with the 2nd unit". LOL. My real concern was that getting the 2nd unit eliminates the roof fan in the rear bedroom. The nirvana part of camping is to sleep with fresh air pumping into the bedroom so I did not want to lose that fan. The best solution seems to be making the one unit as large as possible which I did not do since that solution JUST was presented here on this thread. I will tell you that I have yet to get nailed by insufficient cooling with the one unit. Many days you are towing and the AS gets hot but once you pull in and hook up, the two fans suck out all the hot air and the sun is no longer cranking hot and the AS cools sufficiently. I know that EVERY day of camping we are OUT doing stuff so we are not trying to cool the AS during the hot part of daylight hours! I never get to deal with a 50 amp service requirement too. We are NOT unhappy with our decision to only have the one AC unit.

[Lumatic]

I use a Luma portable evaporative cooler for cooling the back of the trailer when I need it, which is not very often. Inexpensive, small footprint and I still have my ceiling fan.

[JoleneAS]

Sort of an off topic, but in other threads I have read that having an AC with a heat pump works well for temperatures up to the freezing point. If a person were to install 2 air conditioners with heat pumps, would the dual heat pump setup further reduce the need for a furnace? My 27' Overlander had a 40 year old furnace and AC, both of which I plan to replace. However, if I buy two ACs as recommended here, could I omit the cost of a furnace?